California calls for halt in use of huge Moderna vaccine batch after allergic reactions

Leading California Epidemiologist Warns Healthcare Providers to Delay Use of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Lot After ‘Higher Than Usual Number of Possible Allergic Reactions’ Reported at Vaccination Clinic from southern Calfornia.

The affected lot includes 330,000 doses – about 1 / 10th of what the state has distributed so far.

The reaction was seen in less than 10 people who needed medical attention after receiving the vaccine at a clinic, state epidemiologist Dr Erica S. Pan said in a statement Sunday evening. The conditions of those affected were not disclosed, but health officials called the allergic reaction “serious.”

The clinic is located in San Diego, the California Department of Public Health later reported.

“As a precaution and also recognizing the extremely limited vaccine supply,” the statement read, “we recommend that suppliers use other available vaccine stocks and discontinue administration of Moderna Lot 041L20A vaccines. until the CDC, FDA, Moderna and State investigation is complete. “

More than 330,000 doses of the affected batch – which arrived in California between Jan.5 and Jan.12 – have been distributed to 287 suppliers across the state, officials said. No other adverse effects were reported for this specific lot.

“There are no immediate replacement doses during the break on top of the backorders expected to ship in the next few days,” public health officials said in the statement sent to healthcare providers.

The health department said it would have more information later this week.